Books

Producers Of That Wheel Of Time TV Pilot Are Suing Robert Jordan’s Widow

A week ago, a pilot episode for a Wheel of Time TV show aired at 1:30 in the morning on the cable channel FXX. And its producers, Red Eagle Entertainment, explained it was basically to hold onto the rights past their Feb. 11 expiration date. But now, they’ve sued Harriet McDougal, the widow of author…

An Amazing Book About the World-Changing Technology You Forgot

‘Technology’ normally means a gadget — but really, it’s any technical invention that solves problems and improves lives. Often, the most important tech is the one you take completely for granted. Like shipping containers, which are explored in a book called The Box, which is one of the most fascinating things I’ve read in years.…

Providence of Fire Is The Perfect Blend of Politics, Magic and Action

Last year, we really dug Brian Staveley’s debut fantasy epic, The Emperor’s Blades. The trilogy’s second volume picks up from the first, and Staveley delivers a solid and suitably epic adventure that ratchets up the action and muddies the waters, all while completely throwing all expectations out the window. https://gizmodo.com/the-emperors-blades-may-be-the-years-breakout-epic-wa-1500335590 Staveley’s Chronicles of the Unhewn…

Phèdre From Kushiel’s Dart Is The Greatest Courtesan-Spy In Epic Fantasy

Fantasy has lots of sex workers or courtesans who also work as spies — but for our money, the best is Phèdre nó Delaunay de Montrève, the hero of the first Kushiel trilogy by Jacqueline Carey. She thwarts a major conspiracy, stops an invasion, saves her country and avenges her master… with kinky sex. Top…

1980s Science Fiction Where The Cold War Never Ends

The 1980s were the final decade of the Cold War — but nobody knew that at the time. The Soviet Union looked unstoppable, and few outside observers saw its collapse coming. So it’s not surprising that lots of 1980s science fiction included Cold War futures. Here are 1980s visions of a future where the Cold…

What’s The Most Ridiculous Way Someone Took Over The U.S.S. Enterprise?

There’s one thing that’s constant, across all of Star Trek: Starfleet vessels are ridiculously easy to take over. Especially if they’re named “Enterprise”. But what’s the absolute silliest way that someone once seized control over the Enterprise? (Including in TNG, Enterprise, comics, books, other media)? Please include a picture, clip, comics panel, book cover or…

The Greatest Spies In Pop Culture, Ranked

If you believe fiction, spies are everywhere. You cannot turn around without bumping into someone in a wig, armed with a gun masquerading as a tasteful pair of earrings, and carrying secret plans in microdot form. There are so many, we decided to rank them. We have fifty entries on this list, and we are…

Tor.com Explains Why Novellas Are The Future Of Publishing

Tor.com is moving aggressively into publishing novellas (or short novels) in e-book format, and they just announced their first list of titles. But why is Tor.com (and everybody else) so convinced that shorter is better for e-books? Editorial assistant Carl Engle-Laird explains. When asked why Tor.com is focusing on publishing shorter works as e-books, Engle-Laird…

Harry Potter Re-Cut To Tell Snape’s Story Is Crushingly Sad 

Watch a recut of Harry Potter as told from the point of view of Severus Snape. Old conversations take new shape — for example, when Remus tells Harry a story about his mother and how she could always see the beauty in people — and it’s absolutely crushing. The video was created by YouTuber kcawesome13.…

Which Book Have You Read The Most Times?

There are so many different books to read that we could easily read each one only once and never run out. But some books somehow seem to keep us returning to them over and over again. Today we want to know which book you’ve read the most times and why. Tell us in the comments…

This Vintage Science Fiction Magazine Art Is Worth Geeking Out Over

We’ve drooled over vintage pulp science fiction art from the likes of Virgil Finlay, Frank R. Paul, and Ed Emshwiller before. But this mostly black and white interior artwork, scanned and posted to Flickr by user Frederick Barr, is just astonishing. https://gizmodo.com/this-gallery-proves-frank-r-paul-still-rules-science-f-5980171 https://gizmodo.com/the-cover-artist-who-combined-sense-of-humor-and-sen-1633721159 https://gizmodo.com/the-most-vibrant-pulp-science-fiction-art-youll-see-th-1510132620 https://gizmodo.com/how-pulp-science-fiction-cover-art-got-its-sense-of-won-5832671 Frederick Barr, who posts on Flickr as Modern Fred, has…

Someone Is Writing The Ultimate Generic Dystopian YA Novel On Twitter

We love young adult science fiction, but even we have to admit that sometimes, it can feel like dystopian novels are following a bit script. The new Twitter account @DystopianYA is poking a bit of fun at some of the more common conventions of the genre. Writer and comedian Dana Schwartz is behind the @DystopianYA…

The Weirdest Spy Action Novels Ever Published

The “Men’s Adventure” novel is a strange thing. At the height of its popularity, in the late 60s and 70s, it was being written by dozens of peculiar and reclusive authors. But the influence of this weird genre is still felt today. Here’s the strange history of Mack Bolan and his many imitators. This whole…

Just in time for spy week: CIA veteran Lynn Boughey and International Spy Museum executive director Peter Earnest’s book Harry Potter and the Art of Spying, which analyzes the spy techniques in J.K. Rowling’s fantasy novels, is free today on Kindle.

Who Is the Best Spy in Fantasy Fiction?

As is traditional for io9 nights here during spy week, we’re following upthe essay on my pick for the best spy fiction within a category with a chance for you to have your say. Use the poll below or simply battle away in the comments — you’re giving all of us a bunch of new…

The Best Fantasy Spy Is: All of Drasnia From The Belgariad

Fictional spies aren’t restricted to stories in more modern times, filled with gadgets and acronyms. There are also spies in traditional sword and sorcery fantasy. Of all those creations, the best one is the entire country of Drasnia in David Eddings’ The Balgariadand its sequels, prequels, and side works. David Eddings’ books are designed to…

Super Sad True Love Story Will Be A Super Weird TV Show

Get ready to start checking out the “Fuckability” index of some seriously depressed TV characters. Gary Shteyngart’s depressing, hilarious book Super Sad True Love Story is going to be a TV series — with Ben Stiller executive-producing, and directing a bunch of episodes. This could be some pretty intense stuff if it gets on television…

Yes, It Matters If The Science In Your Science Fiction Story Is Accurate

There’s been a lot of debate lately over whether science fiction needs accurate science — or whether it’s even worth discussing the accuracy of science in science fiction. What kind of person expects a science textbook instead of just a fun romp? But as a new essay points out, this is really a matter of…

Bronn Gives Shae Unfortunate Advice In A Game Of Thrones Deleted Scene

Shae goes through a pretty drastic change of heart in the middle of Game of Thrones season four, and we only glimpse the reasons for it. But here’s a deleted scene from the second episode of the season, where Bronn gives Shae some advice that doesn’t work out that well for her… or for Tyrion.…

What You Need To Know About Lord Of The Rings‘ One Ring

You may have read The Lord of the Rings and/or seen the movies, but do you understand what’s going on with those titular pieces of jewelry? This video offers a quick explanation of the various rings in J.R.R. Tolkien’s universe, especially the One Ring. After giving his quick and dirty lowdown on the mythology of…